I was assessing a new Samaritan volunteer until well past 1am this morning and it left me thoughtful and wired.
It's now 3 am and I'm still awake long after coming home.
Although I am a night owl, I hate being awake at this time. It's just not normal
Being awake at 3 am can be rather lonely.
Especially as everyone else in the house is sleeping
A few minutes ago Mary awoke, and bounced on top of me then onto the small table in front of our lounge window. She gazed into the front garden with tail raised and as I stood up I could see two badgers play fighting on the lawn.
A lovely piece of drama amid the dross....
What do u do if you can't sleep? Please share...cos I have no idea
I just lie there and let my thoughts drift.
ReplyDeleteThe more you try to get to sleep the harder it gets.
There are things to do like making lists in your mind or as my husband taught me, lie there and just breathe and listen to your breathing And if your mind wanders and just bring it back and listen to your breathing ...it always works.
1. Write down the thoughts that are keeping me awake, to get them out of my head. 2. Read. 3. Think up new crafts to make with the supplies I already have (I try to use recycled materials). Could you plan your meals for the next week or think about what you're going to plant in your garden or think up fundraising activities or plan your next renovations? I find thinking about a non-essential job or problem is enough to get me away from the thoughts that are keeping me awake.
ReplyDeleteBut then, I rarely have this problem. Usually I sleep like a rock!
Watch videos of Bob Ross painting. If you've never seen him you can find him on You Tube. His voice alone totally relaxes me. He truly was a gentle man and a lover of nature and animals. I remember one episode where he painted with a baby squirrel in his pocket. I love to hear him describe the "happy little trees" he painted. He teaches simple, basic painting anyone can do but it is his style, his voice and the pure kindness and care that come from him that touches people.
ReplyDeleteIf I absolutely can't get back to sleep, I get up and watch TV or read blogs until I feel sleepy. Usually only takes an hour or so.
ReplyDeleteRead... watch YouTube videos... so glad it doesn't happen often....... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteFor several years I've been waking up between 2 and 3 a.m. after 5-6 hours sleep, sometimes less. I get up, catch the headlines on Sky News, do my regular morning reading chores (9 poems daily, revising memory of all Shakespeare sonnets, one per day, just to check I still know them all by heart) + extracts from Bible, Koran and (currently) A.C.Grayling's 'Secular Bible', then a paragraph of British History + half a page from Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.
ReplyDeleteAfter that I switch on computer, check and read the interesting news stories on BBC channel, check if any incoming mail, and check out if there's been any new comments on my blog, and new blog entries from my blog-pals - which is where I've got to now. Then I'm just about ready to go back to bed with my Patchie for an hour or so (it's now 4.25 a.m.). Does this give you any ideas you might follow?
Impressive, I admire your self discipline.
DeleteNo discipline required, C.C. I've been doing variations of it every day for over 40 years and if I tried to stop I'd never be able to settle until I'd got it done and out of the way.
DeleteI have fitful nights aplenty, probably a holdover from work stress back in the day. Many times it's just a matter of not being able to get comfortable (even though the bed is terrifically comfortable). So I get up and do some simple stretches to set my muscles right.
ReplyDeleteAh, badgers! We have them around here, of course, but I have yet to see one. After 15 years in this house!
When I lived in London I would often get up in the dead of night and walk around; occasionally I would just drive around in my car. London is a totally different city at 3 am, and has (had) a wonderful atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough one. Sometimes when I'm wide awake in the middle of the night, I'm freaked and almost frightened. My usual response to that scenario is to try to link back to some sort of normalcy, make some hot cocoa, step outside to see the natural world is still there, and try to remember that I'm part of that world, and maybe should just calm down a little.
ReplyDeleteI also remind myself that sometimes not being asleep is okay--if my mind is whirling with too much input, maybe I need to let that processing go on for awhile, and remind myself that I can take a long nap tomorrow, when I've worked through a few things and am able to relax and sleep. Be kind to yourself, John.
I try not to stay up too late now that I now longer work in the bar industry. I could never easily fall asleep after a busy shift. And, darn it, I could never sleep in either.
ReplyDeleteStay away from computers, smart phones etc, the light from them is similar to dawn and will wake you up more. I read by a lamp, nothing that will get your blood boiling however. I find reading relaxes me and helps me go back to sleep.
ReplyDeleteThat little guy looks like a skunk, do they smell? Do you have skunks?
You don't want to know what I do to get me to sleep...but it always make me sleepy.
ReplyDeleteI bet it only takes one person to do it.
Deletecheeky devils...BOTH of you!
DeleteAs I am reading this at 12:41 am . . .
ReplyDeleteI can’t sleep either . . .
I fells asleep at 8:30 pm . . .
Now I am wide awake . .
I play Free Cell ...
Or
Look to see who has posted . . .
Like you . . .
Insomnia . . .
You need a trick. If I can't sleep I put on the my padded eye-mask my mum gave me for Christmas long ago and in a short time I'm asleep. Always works.
ReplyDeleteI have been a bad sleeper for at least thirty years and rarely sleep a whole night through. Usually I get off to sleep very quickly between 10 and 10.30 and then wake up again any time between 1.00 and 3.00. From then on till I get up at 5.30 I read. I normally read one new book a week and most of that reading takes place during the early hours of the morning.
ReplyDeleteTwo pieces of chocolate and a small glass of whisky!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to learn that chocolate has caffeine in it .. it never kept me awake ! :)
DeleteEmbrace it, drink tea and think good thoughts. A magical time.
ReplyDeleteLX
LX
I.....1), lay on back with hands on solar plexus (stomach), then do counted breath meditation (breath in, 2,3,4,5, breath out, 2,3,4,5) Still awake?
ReplyDeleteI.... 2) make a cup of cocoa, go to loo, then back to bed? Not working, still awake?
I...3) go do some writing on the computer, which puts that extra head energy to good use. I have written by best stuff in those early hours.
But normally the cocoa works if the meditation doesn't.
Making love what else.
ReplyDeleteI stare out the window at the sea. I blog. I read. I play mindless video games. Or I lie in bed stewing about how I wish I could sleep.
ReplyDeleteI usually wake the husband up to let him know I can't sleep. I'm very kind hehe x
ReplyDeleteI take a drowsy antihistamine, doxylamine 25mg. It is sold in pharmacies in Oz as 'Sleepright' or 'Restamine', no prescription needed. Half a tablet usually does the trick. I also watch ASMR videos on youtube. There are thousands. The ones I prefer are usually, being waited on by a whispering servant or an unboxing of a luxury handbag. I don't have a servant or a luxury handbag in real life.
ReplyDeleteI can always find something to worry about if I'm awake in the small hours!
ReplyDeleteIf my body is tired and my mind active then I have a cup of coffee. If it is the other way around I concentrate on counting my breaths and sleeps comes in seconds.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't happen to me. I would pick up my book and read if it did.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't usually happen to me either. I'm knackered this morning. Going for a snooze
DeleteI start to do something, just as I get going I feel tired, and can sleep. I finish the job in the morning.
ReplyDeleteNever had too many problems trying to get to sleep. Then I had three children, two of them slept well, the third needed half an hour then woke up, woke me up, the other children and anyone else who was in the house. So . . . the sound of a baby crying when I cannot sleep puts me into the deepest sleep ever. This works for me but I think it might be too late for you and the Professor. Love Andie xxx
ReplyDeleteWhen I fall asleep in front of the computer I know it's time to go to bed, 9ish or 10ish. Read for five minutes in bed then zonk. I sometimes wake up early, depends if I am fully awake or still half asleep. I only need six hours. If I can't get back to sleep I get up and make a coffee, take it back to bed, prop myself up on pillows and read. Close my eyes and I'm away again.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA mug of tea with a couple of McVities gingernuts usually does the trick after half an hour.
ReplyDeleteIt's very rare that I can't sleep, but on the odd occasion that I wake up at silly o'clock, I go downstairs and sit and read in the kitchen near the Aga with copious cups of coffee. The dogs hide their eyes under their paws and pretend I'm not there. But Ginger sits opposite me and stares at me as if to say 'if you're up it's breakfast time ... FEED ME'.
ReplyDeleteYou’re looking at it. 3:37 am and I’m blogging.
ReplyDeleteRarely happens to me. I will read blogs, and roll over and relax.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you what I do when I can't sleep - aside from listening to the World Service.
ReplyDeleteI usually read my e-mails, the overnight newspaper (online), my friends blogs. or I'll read a good book. or I'll knit.
ReplyDeleteI often have trouble sleeping and spend most of the time cursing the night.
ReplyDeleteList all of the things you are grateful for. Keeps your mind occupied and it means you are thinking about good things and not worrying which is guaranteed to keep you awake even more.
ReplyDeleteLay there and listen to Guido snoring.
ReplyDeleteJP
To insure not having the problem of not being able to fall asleep .. I get up when the cats wake me which is around 7 am which really pisses me off. I like to sleep late. grumble grumble.
ReplyDeleteI do not take a nap during the day and I stay away from caffeine after dinner ..and I started eating dinner a bit earlier.
Oh and no reading mysteries right before bed.
Melatonin or benadryl. Both cheap and over the counter. Otherwise I lay there until I an't stand it anymore and I get up and begin the day...even if it is 3 am.
ReplyDeleteI just read a book. The badgers must have been nice to see. I have never seen one.
ReplyDeleteThought you might enjoy this:
ReplyDeletehttp://slumberwise.com/science/your-ancestors-didnt-sleep-like-you/
I did!
DeleteI have a cup of tea. It always seems to work for me.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew! Insomnia is terrible and frequent at my house...
ReplyDeleteHe went for a snooze at 10:33. It's now 16:00. Long snooooooze.
ReplyDeletemilk contains tryptophan (the amino acid best known for being in turkey), which when released into the brain produces serotonin—a serenity-boosting neurotransmitter.
ReplyDeleteI listen to a book on tape one I have read before.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to have the Badgers playing in your yard.
cheers, parsnip and mandibles
I don't sleep well if I go bed early.I now try after midnight& before 2 am & I usually sleep until6•30 then with classic FM on constantly.I also rub white tiger balm on my forehead or SBC menthol for tension x
ReplyDeleteJust don't try to fight it John......the universe gave you a lovely little gift for staying up late.....tonight you'll sleep like a log.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend knitting. I rarely sleep past 3A and have made good use of the dark time to knit socks. It gets to a point where one thinks they are running late if they sleep until 4!
ReplyDeleteI often wake up at 4 or 5 am. This morning I woke at 3.15. Like you, I hate waking up early and I don't know what to do with myself. Usually I have a cup of tea, read a book and then try (and mostly fail) to doze off again. Can't offer you any magic solutions, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived on the farm I'd get up, get dressed, and go for a walk down the lane; all the better if there was a full moon. I'd bark like a coyote and it wasn't long before I'd get an answer back and we'd have a good sing-along. The swish of an owl's wings as it flew overhead or the russel of the grass when a deer arose from it's ed and bounded off satisfied me enormously. It was all very calming to me which resulted in a dep sleep after returning to bed. Now that I live in town I just get up and read the paper for a bit while cursing the street lights.
ReplyDeletesorry about the spelling errors
DeleteI loved this
DeleteI think I may try barking like a coyote if I can't sleep Norma it sounds good fun x
DeleteI review my multiplication tables and if that does not work I go on to casting out prime numbers- 1,2,3, 5, 7.......23.....41 That will generally bore me to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI knit and then put the telly on with something educational and hope it lulls me to sleep. I feel your frustration. I am one of those who is strongly affected by full moons, they rev my motor and sleep is almost impossible.
ReplyDeleteI have a cure for my husband if he cant sleep I just have to say "I've been thinking...." and he's fast a sleep! Su
ReplyDeleteIm listening to iPlayer [not watching just listening]particularly history and certain presenters Good night
ReplyDeleteGood night x
DeleteI have been to a sleep specialist due to surgery I was having. The Dr. told me to find the most boring magazine or book to read NOT a cell phone as the glare from the phone screws with your brain.
ReplyDeleteRuth from Oxnard CA USA
I naturally wake midway...if my mind is churning I'll either think positively about something good or somewhere I've been; or I'll think "here" as I breathe in,then "now" a I breathe out...
ReplyDeleteI keep quite a few podcasts and when I wake up at 3 or 4, I play the last one in the list. My phone shuts off when it finishes playing (if it wasn't the last one it would just keep going down the list) and I'm usually asleep by then. It's a matter of focusing your attention off thinking.
ReplyDeleteGet yourself a talking book. Listening to it when you go to bed will stop your mind from going over and over stuff and you will soon drift off to sleep. I load one on my ipad and phone and you can set them to stop so they don't keep going all night.
ReplyDeleteI read. I read I read I read. I can't get up and sew in this place as the sewing room is directly above the bedroom. I find staring at a lit up screen makes it hard to get back to sleep, so I stay in bed and read my Kindle with the light on. The other way I have found to get sleepy is to er, um, see to oneself, *blush* Well, it passes the time!
ReplyDeleteI leave G in the darkened bedroom, and I sneak into the office to play here. Oh, so mundane.
ReplyDeleteI’m a physician, in the US. In 20 years, I’ve never been able to cope with having to be awake between 2 and 4 am. I have no advice, just sympathy.
ReplyDelete